PITTSFORD - Peerless Price insists his better days aren't behind him.

The receiver's eyes light up when he discusses the potential he sees in the Buffalo Bills offense and Price is confident he has an opportunity to re-establish himself as a bona fide No. 2 threat opposite Lee Evans.

Yes, the same way Price did when playing alongside Eric Moulds in Buffalo five years ago.

“I don't know if I can match '02,” Price said Monday. “But I want to get close.”

Those are big words coming from a player entering his ninth season who hasn't come anywhere near the eye-popping numbers - 94 catches for 1,252 yards and nine touchdowns - he put up in the final year of his previous stint with the Bills.

Price has caught just 100 balls for 1,073 yards and 12 TDs over his past three seasons combined. It doesn't help that he played for three teams over that stretch, including his return to Buffalo last year.

Price is encouraged, knowing he's earned the trust of the coaches and quarterback J.P. Losman.

That's something he didn't have playing under Bill Parcells in Dallas in 2005, or working with Michael Vick before that in Atlanta.

Then there's being part of an offense that's beginning to show signs of being dynamic entering its second year under coordinator Steve Fairchild.

“I'm very excited,” Price said. “I'm telling you, it looks great right now on paper. Now it's a matter of us going out and executing and putting it all together.”

The Bills offense finished strong last season, when it finally began to click under Losman, who gradually progressed in his first full year as starter.

Besides leading Buffalo to win four of its last seven games in a 7-9 finish, the offense produced 17 of its 28 touchdowns and averaged 59 more yards from scrimmage over that stretch.

Price was inconsistent, finishing with 49 catches for 402 yards, his lowest yardage total as a full-time starter, and three touchdowns.

Coach Dick Jauron said the problem wasn't so much Price, but the Bills inability to get him more involved.

“We didn't feature him and for the right reasons because Lee (Evans) was the guy, and Lee will still be the guy,” Jauron said. “But Peerless has unique abilities. He's a proven veteran and I think he'll step up and play as well or better than he did a year ago. We'll force some more issues over there.”

Price isn't about to argue.

“That's very encouraging to hear coach Jauron say that,” Price said. “I feel if you get me 60-70 grabs, I'll get my 1,000 yards.”

Price has a chance to flourish with opponents expected to pay more attention to Evans, who finished sixth in the league with 1,292 yards receiving and eight touchdowns.

Price should benefit from an expanded passing attack that will include running back Marshawn Lynch, the rookie first-round pick, who's doubling as a receiving threat. And the Bills bolstered their offensive line in an attempt to free their tight ends to be more involved as receivers.

“Whoever's over there at the No. 2 spot has a chance to run up some numbers,” Fairchild said. “Peerless had a good offseason and we're looking for a very good season out of him.”

The Bills receiving corps is rounded out by Josh Reed, who's expected to work out of the slot, and downfield speedster Roscoe Parrish.

Price's strength is his experience and versatility, able to both go deep and over the middle.

He's also developed patience, something Price acknowledged wasn't always his strength - particularly when he wasn't involved.

Price now understands it's his job to get open.

“When they see you open, you beating a guy to death, they're going to throw it to you eventually,” he said. “When you're doing that stuff, somebody notices it.”